Ducks Sink The Sharks 3-1

Photo: AP

By Michael Walters

The Anaheim Ducks hosted the San Jose Sharks for their second meeting of the season. Pavel Mintyukov drew back into the lineup after missing the last game against LA with foot poisoning. Isac Lundestrom (upper body) returned back to action after missing the last two games from a check to the head. Lukas Dostal was in net against Mackenzie Blackwood.

Recap

The teams exchanged power plays early in the contest and both teams did not convert. The Ducks went on a second power play in the period, but again did not cash in. Anaheim then was awarded yet another power play in the final minute of the opening frame, which they carried over to the second period.

The Ducks started the middle frame with the extra man and they didn’t score on the power play. Anaheim got awarded a fourth power play and this time they converted. Troy Terry got the puck in the slot and took a quick wrist shot that beat Blackwood glove side. The Ducks nearly made it 2-0 late in the period. Mason McTavish found Brock McGinn on a. 2-on-1, but Blackwood made a great save to keep it a one goal game. The Ducks held a 1-0 advantage after 40 minutes of play.

The Sharks got a power play early in the third period and converted. A point shot hit Jackson LaCombe‘s stick and deflected past Dostal. The Ducks would then get a power play and Leo Carlsson would convert to put Anaheim back up by one goal. The Sharks would pull their goalie in the final minutes of the game and Alex Killorn would score to make it a 3-1 game, which would be the final score.

Analysis:

The first half of this contest had much of the feel of the first matchup in the season opener in San Jose. The game then really opened up at the halfway point once the Ducks scored. Anaheim had 14 scoring chances in the middle frame to just 5 for San Jose. Ducks outshot the Sharks in every period and really turned it on in the second period with 17 shots on goal to 10 for San Jose. Anaheim posted a CF% of 48.67% and FF% of 53.75% at even strength.

After going 0-for-20 on the power play for the season, the Ducks then scored on two of their next three man advantages. Anaheim wasn’t doing much on the first few power plays of the game, but then they started to get pressure and were able to get a few goals as a result. Gauthier earned assists on both of the power play goals.

Terry continues to be a roll now with four goals in his last five games and a point in each of his last five games. He leads the team in goal scoring with those four goals. He finally broke the power play curse with the opening goal in this contest. Anaheim ended up going 2-for-6 on the night with the extra man. Buffalo is now the only team in the league without a power play goal.

Team Notes/Stats:

Gauthier had two assists for his first multi-point game in the NHL.

Carlsson has 33 total points (15 G + 18 A) in 61 career games. He is one point behind Oleg Tverdovsky for third most points by a teenager in the franchise. Cam Fowler is first with 53 points and Jamie Drysale second with 36 points. He earned his second game winning goal in this contest. Cam Fowler has the most as a teenager in the franchise with three.

What’s Next?

The Ducks travel to New York to face the Rangers on Saturday at 4 PM.

Support us by becoming a DucksNPucks patron! Members can win game tickets, Ducks gear, and more!

Want to start your sports media career? Then Join The Puck Network!

DucksNPucks is part of The Puck Network, which covers the entire NHL. There are openings to cover your favorite team(s) and earn school credits! If you are interested, then apply by filling out the form here: Join Our Team. What are you waiting for? Start your sports media career TODAY!

October 23rd, 2024